Boost for Slot: Key player is now suspended for huge Liverpool game after "shocking" incident

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Leeds United did Liverpool a huge favour by winning 2-1 at Old Trafford, and United’s misery was compounded by a straight red card for Martinez in the second half. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, United manager Michael Carrick certainly wasn’t impressed by the performance of referee Paul Tierney: “It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug, it’s not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off.

“He’s off-balance because of that, he half touches the back of his hair which pulls the bobble out and leads it to look like – I don’t even know what it looks like. That’s two games in a row we’ve had those decisions go against us, but that one was one of the worst I’ve seen.” A boost for Liverpool ahead of trip to Man Utd Martinez is a divisive character, with some seeing him as a loose cannon, but it is hard to deny that United’s defence is stronger with him in it.

United make the trip to Chelsea on Saturday night, with any result in that game likely to be a positive one for Liverpool, while Arne Slot’s men face their first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against Everton on Sunday. He is also a main contributor for This Is Anfield, one of the world's biggest Reds-related sites, where he writes features and news, and covers matchday content.